April Driver of the Month: Leon

Congratulations to our latest Driver of the Month, Leon! Leon has been driving for 10 years and is a Melton Ambassador. His favorite part about driving OTR is the lifestyle and how different it is from the traditional 9 to 5. His favorite place to drive through is Utah, and his top place to eat on the road is at the Big Texan steakhouse. The qualities Leon thinks are most important for truck drivers to have are self-motivation, patience, and the ability to stay organized. He would also like to give a shout-out to his DM, Tiffany.

Tiffany had this to say about Leon: “Leon works his tail off, day in and day out. I never worry about a load whatsoever when he’s on the job! He always makes deliveries on time, if not early, and does it all beautifully!” Keep up the good work, Leon!

April Rookie of the Month: Steve

Be sure to congratulate our Rookie of the Month, Steve! Steve has been driving for Melton since November, and this is his first Class A driving job. Before Melton, Steve drove for several years locally. He decided to pursue flatbed to try something new, and he liked how Melton stood out as a military-friendly company, as Steve previously served in the Marines. While he’s not driving, he likes to go on motorcycle and camping trips with his wife, who plans to join him on the road very soon. Steve would also like to give a shout out to his trainer, Marvin.

Steve’s DM, Amanda, wanted to add a message: “Steve has been such a great addition to Fleet 27 and Melton. He is hardworking and goes above and beyond in everything he does.” Congratulations, Steve!

A Message from Our Wellness Manager

There’s more to living a long, happy life than just the number of candles on your birthday cake — we also want to take into consideration the quality of those years. While the average national lifespan is increasing thanks to modern advances in technology and improved public health, it’s also important to consider how healthy and well we feel as we age and get into our golden years.

“Lifespan” refers to the number of years a person lives. Lifespan has increased in the past few decades. In fact, the United Nations estimated that the average global life expectancy in 2019 was 72.6 years, a huge increase from just 45.7 years in 1950.

“Healthspan,” meanwhile, refers to the number of years that a person lives in relatively good health — in other words, the years that they live free from serious illness or chronic diseases. It’s important to consider healthspan along with lifespan because it can be an important indicator of how long people can live independently, move freely, and just enjoy life without having to deal with the burden of long-term medical issues.

So, How Do You Boost Your Healthspan?

Eat healthily
Filling your diet with healthy, nutritious whole foods is a great first step for both maximizing your lifespan and improving your quality of life. A 2023 study suggested that following healthy longevity-associated diet patterns like eating more whole grains, nuts, and fruits, and minimizing consumption of sugar and processed meat was associated with an increased life expectancy of 10.8 -10.4 years.

Exercise regularly
Staying active can play a huge role in improving your lifespan. Benefits range from improved muscle strength, improved metabolism, fighting inflammation, and improving cardiovascular health — all of which can help support your body against common chronic health conditions associated with aging, like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and sarcopenia. In addition, staying strong and building muscle can help improve your mobility and independence, both of which are important for your quality of life as you age.

Quality is equally as important as quantity
While living a long life is the goal for many of us, it’s only half the battle. The real victory lies in making sure that you can spend those extra years feeling healthy, mobile, and fulfilled. Through smart nutrition & regular exercise, you can give yourself the best chance at a long and good life for years to come.

Keep Moving,
Bret Bringham
Wellness Manager

A Message from Our safety department

As summer kicks into high gear, June brings longer days, higher temperatures, and unpredictable weather. For drivers, that can mean more than just discomfort—it can mean safety risks along your route and at your planned stops. Staying weather-aware is a crucial part of protecting yourself, your equipment, and your freight.

Here’s a look at common weather hazards in June and how to navigate them safely.

Severe Weather & Thunderstorms

With the transition from spring to summer, the risk of severe thunderstorms, high winds, and flash flooding lingers—especially across the Midwest and Southern states.

Hazards to Watch Out For:

• Reduced visibility due to heavy rain or hail
• Vehicle instability from strong wind gusts
• Exposure to lightning while outside the cab

Safety Tips:

• Check the forecast before departure and monitor conditions throughout your route.
• If necessary, send an ETA update if storms are too severe to travel in.
• Delay securement if lightning is nearby—seek shelter until it passes.

Heat and Dehydration

When working outdoors in the summer heat, especially while securing loads, heat-related illnesses become a real concern.

Hazards to Watch Out For:

• Heat exhaustion or heatstroke
• Fatigue from dehydration
• Hot surfaces and equipment

Safety Tips:

• Wear lightweight, breathable clothing and a hat. Sunscreen is your friend – don’t forget to use it!
• Keep water stocked—drink at least 8–10 cups per day, more when active.
• Take breaks in the shade or cab whenever necessary.

Although June’s weather can be unpredictable, your safety doesn’t have to be. By staying alert, preparing for the conditions ahead, and knowing when to pause and reassess, you reduce the risk of finding yourself in an unsafe situation. Prioritize weather awareness every time you get behind the wheel and make safety your constant copilot. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to Safety with any concerns: 800-656-2167!

June Anniversaries

1            Andrae King

1            Austin Burnett

1            Austin Jones

1            Brian Bailey

1            Bryan Brock

1            Carmen Hernandez

1            Chandler Miller

1            Charles Agelis

1            Christopher Breaux

1            Claudio Espinosa

1            Clismann Orelus

1            Damajzae Summers

1            David Richardson

1            David Patrick

1            David McLean

1            Dean Carmichael

1            Derrick Bloomfield

1            Dewayne Preston

1            Dorian Washington

1            Edwin Toro

1            Emilio Chronis

1            Eric Jaimes Salazar

1            Frida Pavon

1            Ja Maine Simonet

1            James Batman

1            Jameson Petit

1            Jared Vaughn

1            Jhonoah Thompson

1            John Hamilton

1            Johnathon Fisher

1            Jose Cital

1            Kelvin Lopez

1            Kendrick Bledsoe

1            Maria Martinez Camilo

1            Martin Rodriguez

1            Maxamilliano Lopez

1            Mercedes Steele

1            Metzli Bravo

1            Morris Edwards

1            Nicque Edmondson

1            Peter Ledgister

1            Sannchon Joachim

1            Thomas Briggs

1            Wesley Miller

1            Xavier Tobler

February Top Fleets

Each month, we have our best fleets in MPG and fuel compliance. Below you will see the top three fleets in each category. Congratulations to each fleet. Keep up the great work.

6.90 MPG

Overall Fleet Average MPG

1. Stephen D. – Fleet 10 with an average of 6.99
2. Rory B. – Fleet 25 with an average of 6.98
3. Chad M. – Fleet 8 with an average of 6.974

69.61%

Fleet Avg. Expert Fuel

1. Katrina C. – Fleet 19 76.60%
2. Tony S. – Fleet 18 76.02%
3. Wendy R. – Fleet 11 74.11%

Monthly Celebration

Each month, we gather in our Tulsa headquarters atrium to have our monthly celebration to celebrate anniversaries, new hires, promotions, and birthdays. We also revealed the results of our latest ESOP evaluation! Thank you for everyone who attended in person or online!

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May Hires

Mark Roberts

Carrier Manager – Melton Logistics

May ReHires

May Movement

What’s Your Go-To Pizza Topping?

Have a poll idea for the next OpenLine? Please send it to [email protected].